Social writer of boxing Gary White and Luke G. Williams head to head to debate the potential outcome of this weekend’s exciting European and Commonwealth cruiser belt competition between Chris Billam-Smith and Isaac Chamberlain.
Bournemouth-like whites make the case for Billam-Smith, while Williams makes his theory as to why fellow South Londoner Chamberlain might upset the odds.
Gary White
In the same week – 57 years ago – Freddie Mills was found dead on a side street of Soho, Bournemouthian colleague Chris Billam-Smith will try to take one step further towards his hard-won world title success. be of Mills.
The Bournemouth International Center will mark the return home of the man nicknamed ‘The Gentleman’ and he’s sure to make a splashy welcome on a rare night of Dorset matches with big tickets.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with the 31-year-old several times over the years as he has been promoted to cruiser class and he has always made it clear how proud he is to represent the coastal town positively. south sea and added Mills’ heritage blue riband fish.
If CBS can thread the nerves and harness the clear expectations from those right in front of the ring, then I don’t think what Isaac Chamberlain brought that night was unimportant. The best version of ‘Gentleman’ beats the best that ‘Chambo’ has to offer.
Billam-Smith holds the European and Commonwealth belts and, if rumors are to be believed, is just one win away from being world champion. His career arc has been one of gradual improvement culminating in an impressive round of 16 knockout in his recent rematch with Tommy McCarthy. A narrow SD loss to Richard Riakporhe remains the only reversal of his record. However, this should be seen in the context of Riakporhe continuing to move towards a world title of its own.
While on paper, Chamberlain has a similar track record, it lacks depth. A tight decisive win over Luke Watkins remains his best win if one diminishes his recent success against former world title challenger Dilan Prasovic – Croatian is the owner Latest undefeated record built on cardboard.
With the first three wins in a row, much of it is being made up by Chamberlain’s improvement and new-found strength. But the caliber of competitors featured in those Hennessey Sports commercials that appeared on Channel 5 was not scrutinized. Worst of all, Chamberlain will always have to bear the stigma of the infamous ‘British Bull’ clash with Lawrence Okolie; still a candidate for the most ten rounds in a British ring.
But Chamberlain was a cunning and difficult man, and therefore I did not expect the mighty Billam-Smith to be able to defeat him. Much was also fueled by Chamberlain’s hunger for interviews regarding his reformed street hooligan background, with The Guardian’s Donald McCrae. But it doesn’t win wars by itself.
The Brixton man will have his moments, perhaps none of which hit the deck over the course of 12 rounds, but I fully expect Billam-Smith to take it home at least a couple of rounds on all three scorecards. .
Luke G. Williams
Let’s make one thing clear – my ‘official’ prediction for this fight is that Billam-Smith will win through a tight but decisive point match. As Garry has made clear above, the Bournemouth man has operated at a much more competitive level than Chamberlain, whose only start against a higher-level opponent led to embarrassment against Lawrence Okolie in February 2018.
This factor – coupled with the fact that Billam-Smith will enjoy substantial homegrown support at Bournemouth International Center – makes it easy to see why the likable southern roller coaster is a Category 8- 15 is popular.
However, it is certainly possible to build a convincing case for a Chamberlain victory. He has the edge over Billam-Smith in speed, and possibly skill as well, and lately he seems to be punching harder than ever. Furthermore, the Brixton driver has won his last four competitions in a total of just six laps, and although the level of opposition in said competitions is weak, it is a form that will make him I’m brimming with confidence after enduring the disappointment of a nearly two-year hiatus from the ring.
Like so many close fights, however, this was one that could have been settled in ‘mind’ and it was here that Chamberlain could have the edge. Billam-Smith may be fighting in front of a family crowd, but this could easily prove to be a mix of luck and a distraction.
As a lover of heavy betting, all the pressure is on Billam-Smith. Few expected Chamberlain to prevail, and after his failed performance against Okolie, he certainly has a reason to prove it. In the past, he has also proven he has the ability and strong spirit to overcome adversity in the ring – seeing his point win over Wadi Camacho in 2016 when he won. fought more than seven rounds after dislocating his shoulder.
If Chamberlain can rekindle the spirit of that great performance this Saturday night then he can also upset the odds and send disappointed local fans home.
